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Gilroy’s is a microbrewery with a country pub-restaurant and beer garden in Muldersdrift, Gauteng. Presiding over the popular establishment is brew master, beer connoisseur and host par excellence, Ireland-born Liverpudlian Steve Gilroy. Sporting a bowtie, apron and pipe, the silver-haired raconteur is as unique as his award-winning lagers and ales.
Gilroy’s brewery is ‘120 years behind the times’, says Steve Gilroy, a proud ‘real ale’ evangelist.
As opposed to commercially brewed beer, ‘real ale’ – also known as ‘cask-conditioned beer’, ‘real cask ale’, ‘real beer’ or ‘naturally conditioned beer’ – is brewed from traditional ingredients (malted barley, hops, water and brewer’s yeast), matured by secondary fermentation in the container from which it is dispensed, and served without the use of extraneous carbon dioxide.
All Gilroy beers are handcrafted. Steve Gilroy produces 4 kinds of beer: Gilroy Lager is a European-style lager; Gilroy Favourite a pale ale; Gilroy Traditional Ruby Ale is a connoisseur’s beer; and Gilroy Serious is a premium dark ale.
Gilroy's ales and lager are unfiltered, unpasteurised and preservative free. Gilroy uses only imported German and English malt and hop varieties and is quick to point out real beer's health benefits. Natural tasting, it’s rich in B-vitamins, iron and antioxidants and develops ever-more complex flavour as it matures.
The length of the beer tour depends on the enthusiasm of the participants, but expect to spend about an hour. Your tour concludes with a tongue-in-cheek ritual known as the Legend of the Gauntlet: the ceremonial raising of the 'impertinent finger', or middle digit, as a challenge to other brewers to brew a better beer.
The Gilroy pub-restaurant is an added reason to visit this popular country brewery. Patrons consume the good-value pub fare in the dark, wood-panelled, quintessentially British pub, or in the outdoor beer garden, to the sounds of live jazz (Steve Gilroy is also a former jazz guitarist), rock and blues.
Gilroy’s brewery is situated in the Ngwenya Glass Village in Muldersdrift.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & planning info
Who to contact
Gilroy brewery
Tel: +27 (0)11 796 3020
Cell: +27 (0)73 357 2897
Ngwenya Glass Village
Tel: +27 (0)11 796 3006
Email: buzz@shadesofngwenya.co.za
How to get here
Gilroy’s brewery is approximately 30km from the Sandton city centre and best accessed by the N1 Western Bypass and M5 route. From the M5, turn left onto the R144. Ngwenya Glass Village, in which the brewery is situated, is signposted at approximately 2.2km. From Sandton, give yourself an hour on weekends or an hour-and-a-half during the week (when the traffic is worse) to get there.
Best time to visit
Gilroy’s is closed on Mondays. Beer tours take place at 11am every Saturday – booking is strongly advised.
Around the area
There are various arts and crafts shops to explore at Ngwenya Glass Village. Further afield is the Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng Visitor Centre, Silverstar Casino, the village of Magaliesburg and the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve.
Things to do
You're close to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site here, so you may want to visit the official Maropeng Visitor Centre or the Sterkfontein Caves where you can do a tour.
Get around
It's best to drive yourself or catch an Uber if you’ll be indulging in the beer.
What will it cost?
The “Naughty Corner” beer tour and tasting is priced at around R150.
Where to stay
There are a number of country hotels within a 10km radius of Muldersdrift, among them Forum Homini, Misty Hills Country Hotel and Glenburn Lodge.
What to eat
Gilroy’s beer-battered hake, chips and mushy peas are renowned, along with the beer bread and the bangers and mash.
What's happening?
Along with regular live music, most days are themed and there are always events taking place. Check out their website for the latest schedule.
Best buys
Gilroy beers, Gilroy paraphernalia for your bar and home-brewing supplies.
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